Ten-year-old Charlie Kristensen from Wokingham, whose experience of being bullied started the viral #CheerUpCharlie campaign, has released a charity single to raise money for The Diana Award.
Charlie is joined on the song, You Will Be Found, by numerous stage and screen stars including Wendi Peters, Layton Williams and Michael Xavier, with Iain Armitage, Michael Ball, Rufus Hound, and Faye Tozer amongst many famous faces reading their supportive messages on the song’s video,
You Will Be Found by #CheerUpCharlie & West End Friends is available to download and stream via all major online music services including iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon: https://ditto.fm/you-will-be-found
Hey Charlie, we love your new single, what can you tell us about it?
Thank you so much, it is amazing and came about when #cheerupcharlie first kicked off last year. Nikki and Joe Davison, the producers from Auburn Jam, got in touch and asked whether I would like to come to the studio. It just grew from there.
Why did you pick You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen?
There was without a doubt no other song it could be. It speaks so much about my story and what we want people to think. We want people to know you really are not alone.
Tell us about the West End Friends who joined you, what was it like working with them?
Oh my, they are amazing! I’m shocked that so many people like Zizi Strallen and Layton Williams gave their time to come and record this with us in the studios. It was so epic to see so many stars coming together to help.
What was your favourite part of recording the single?
I loved hearing how all the different voices were put together. The harmonies were out of this world alone but watching the Producer, Joe, mix them all together was so interesting. Although the funniest part was making them sound like the Smurfs at the switch of a button!
The single has been raising funds in Anti-Bullying Week for The Diana Award, why’s this charity so important to you?
For a long time I was alone. I struggled in silence and it was only when my campaign started that I found the amazing Diana Award and the work they do. I don’t want anyone in 20 years to have to do for another child what was done for me, and that’s why it is so important. We need this to educate and I plan to do all I can to support this.
What would you say to anyone reading this that’s been having a tough time because of bullying?
I can’t say this enough – talk, talk and talk. Our generation is the future and we can’t make a change in silence. It is hard and things will get better but you can’t keep it inside. I know how hard that is and no one has to do it alone. If you can’t talk to family then talk to me – I’m only a message away on Instagram and I will always respond. Please don’t do what I did and let it get so bad you feel like giving up. Together we can make a change.
Main Image: Charlie Kristensen recording charity single You Will Be Found
